Bullpen Report: Jul 30, 2013
• “I wish they all could be California girls beards.” The Beard returns, this time to LA as Brian Wilson signed with the Dodgers today. The deal is worth $1 million with incentives. Wilson will start in the minors but should be in LA by mid-August, at which point he should be used as a righty in late innings, setting the table for Kenley Jansen. I’m not sure what to expect from Wilson but the Dodgers weren’t the only interested team, so he certainly showed something enticing during his throwing sessions. We’ll have to see how Wilson looks like before making any conclusions but Wilson certainly has a good chance of pitching in big spots in LA and should be monitored by those in hold leagues. And if it doesn’t work out, I guess Wilson just wasn’t meant for these times.
• Colin had mentioned John Axford’s recent struggles the other day and those continued today as Axford gave up two runs and four hits, relieving Yovani Gallardo in the fifth inning. The Brewers came back against the Cubs for the lead and Jim Henderson recorded the save, his 13th of the year. With Henderson seeing the ninth and Axford seeing the fifth, I’m going to say Henderson’s hold on the ninth is pretty secure. As a wise man once said, it’s not that easy being green, but let’s see what Henderson has to say about that on the closer grid.
• It’s not a major move but the Indians have acquired Marc Rzepczynski from the Cardinals. Scrabble’s ERA (7.84) in the majors this year is a little rough on the eyes but also a little misleading as he he’s pitched to a 3.96 xFIP in just 10.1 innings. As Jeff Sullivan pointed out earlier, Rzepczynski can’t get righties out and has started to do worse against lefties as well. That’s why he was in the minors for the Cardinals and why he was acquired on the cheap, but it’s low risk move that could pay off against a tough lefty for the Indians stretch run. This move shouldn’t affect many fantasy teams but if it does, I’m curious to hear about your league in the comments section.
• Steve Cishek blew his third save of the year (for his sixth loss), against the Mets tonight on his second inning of work. Steve Cishek has been pitching well of late and on the season supports a solid 3.36 xFIP. Numbers like that would make Cishek attractive to a competing team, especially against righties but the latest is still thatMarlins are happy to hold to him as he still years of team control. So, unless something suddenly changes, expect Cishek to continue to blow his saves while on the Marlins this season.
• Chris Perez (15), Bobby Parnell (22) and Jim Johnson (36) all recorded saves tonight. Kevin Gregg blew the save in the second game of a double header against the Brewers, killing his trade value in the process. The Cubs may take any warm body for Gregg at this point but in his last 18 appearances Gregg has allowed 13 runs which is more Gregg than his first mirage. If Gregg isn’t moved it will be the best case scenario for his fantasy value as he’d get more saves on Chicago than anywhere else.
Closer Grid:
[Green light, yellow light, red light: the colors represent the volatility of the bullpen order.]
When he's not focusing on every team's bullpen situation, Ben can be found blogging at Ben's Baseball Bias and on Twitter @BensBias
Fernando Salas got sent down to AAA tonight… you think Maness would be next in line? I’m in a holds league and just picked Maness up recently…
You think it’s worth it to trade liriano and granderson for bumgarner? I’m gonna have 1 too many players when Granderson comes back anyway, and my lineup is fine as is, I don’t really have anyone else I’d be ok with just dropping when he gets off the DL
One thing to note, Vinnie Pestano was optioned to make room for Scrabble, Cody Allen is probably the guy who’d take over closing duties if Chris Perez were to go down.
Thanks for that, will forward it on to Colin and Alan!
Frieri blew another save tonight. BS in back to back nights. Scioscia sounded like he was going to the closer by committee until Frieri figures it out.
This situation is kind of a mess but what’s keeping it together is that the Angels have very few other options. I could see someone other than Frieri receiving the next save opp but I don’t think he’ll lose the job. This is also assuming he’ll put together a good inning or two, not a guarantee at this point.
The color needs to change from green.
Cishek didn’t actually blow a save. He pitched two innings (coming into a tied ballgame) and gave up runs in the second of those innings.
Cishek didn’t blow a save last night. He entered a tie game. Also of note, he gave up the runs in his 2nd inning of work.
Thanks for catching that, silly mistake on my part. Either way, it looks like Cishek will remain in Miami as closer for the remainder of the year.
Didn’t I say the exact same thing above?
You did.
And Jim “muppet” Henderson got the save in both halves of the doubleheader.
I play in a 16-team league where we only play RP’s from the Indians, so I have used the rest of my FAAB budget on Scrabble. Game changer.
I’ve got to make a pick up in a holds league, Alex Torres, Ryan Cook, Jake McGee, or Tommy Hunter?
Holds can be a little fickle but I think Alex Torres is the best pitcher of the bunch there.
would you trade rajai davis for casey janssen?
Without context it’s hard to answer but if you need saves, certainly.
sorry… 1st place in my league, 2.5 lead… leading in sb’s (about 20 sb cushion – with some legs rostered)… 2nd in saves, 3 behind leader (w/ paplebon; mo; nathan; perkins on my roster)… also 2nd in era & whip… figured janssen could help in all 3 cat’s. but janssen has 1 save in last 30 days – totally shocked me… GM offered up Rex Brothers too, but Betancourt will prob be back mid/late August… Better Context, Thoughts? & Thank you
It sounds like gaining Janssen gives you a better shot of gaining points, and you can absorb the loss of Rajai.
Assuming Rajai and other SB guys won’t get in the hands of someone who can pass you in SBs (maybe the guy in 2nd) I’d definitely do the deal.
I needed save, so I just traded Cingrani for Jansen. With the uncertainty of the former being sent down or to the bullpen after Cueto comes back I pulled the trigger. The guy I traded with is in second to last place, so he wanted a potential keeper. What do you guys think?
Solid move. Approve!
I need saves. i’m 3rd overall, but 13th (15 team league) in saves. can get chapman for shelby miller. should i do it? keeper league. will have a good shot to win it all with chapman.
Flags fly forever. Shelby’s starts might be cut down here on out and Aroldis is a keeper in his own right, especially in a 15-teamer.
I’ll let you be the judge of if you can win or not, but if that swap gives you a chance for victory, my opinion is you go for it.
If it just gives you a chance for a hail mary I might pass. I’d also see if in addition to Aroldis if there are any other cheap saves to acquire on the cheap to pad that total.